Late Season Columbia River Salmon Fishing Opportunities

As of November 16, 2024, the Columbia River around Portland is still offering some great fishing opportunities, despite the late season. ### Weather and Tidal Conditions Today, you can expect partly cloudy skies with a high of around 52°F and a low of 45°F. The wind will be mild, blowing at about 5 mph. Tides are relatively moderate, with a high tide at 7:47 AM and a low tide at 1:47 PM. Sunrise is at 7:04 AM, and sunset will be at 4:29 PM. ### Fish Activity The fall chinook run has been robust this year, and although it's nearing its end, there are still plenty of fish in the river. Yesterday, anglers in the Hood River area reported catching several chinook salmon, with some nice keepers in the mix. The area below Bonneville Dam is also productive, with chinook and coho salmon still present[3]. ### Types and Amounts of Fish While the peak of the fall chinook run has passed, there are still significant numbers of chinook and coho salmon in the river. Yesterday's catches included several chinook, with some boats reporting multiple keepers. Coho salmon, particularly the "B" run, are also active and can be caught, especially below the Hood River Bridge where fin-clipped coho can be retained[2][3]. ### Best Lures and Bait For chinook salmon, using herring or anchovies is highly effective, especially when trolled slowly near the bottom. Plugs like the Kwikfish or Mag Lip can also work well. For coho, smaller lures such as spinners or spoons can be very productive. Barbless hooks are required on the Columbia River, so make sure to adjust your gear accordingly[3][4]. ### Hot Spots One of the hot spots right now is the area below Bonneville Dam, where the concentration of fish is high. The Hood River area, particularly around the mouth of the White Salmon River, has also been very productive. Another good spot is the lower Willamette River, especially near the head of Multnomah Channel, where you can catch both chinook and coho[3][4]. Overall, it's a great time to get out on the water and take advantage of the remaining fall salmon run on the Columbia River. Just be prepared for the cooler weather and changing tides. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.